1841.] Note and Tabular Statement N. W. F. Trade, 477 



I may a<? well mention, that previous to the occupation of Afghanistan 

 by our Troops in 1838-39, the Exports from these Provinces were trifling 

 to a degree, the returns for the Imports being for the most part sent back 

 in specie. Within the last year or two, however, the demand for our 

 Exports has so greatly increased, that instead of taking back specie, 

 Hoondies to a very large amount are sent to Delhi from Cabool, to m?et 

 the deficit caused by the excess of Exports from these Provinces, over 

 the Imports from Affghanistan. Some time last year one merchant sent 

 us a single remittance, Hoondies on Delhi from Cabool for no less a sum 

 than forty thousand rupees, to be invested in the purchase of British 

 goods. 



Formerly the whole of the Export trade with Cabool, was carried on 

 by the fruit merchants, who merely took back a small portion of their 

 returns in British manufactures. There are now, several highly respect- 

 able merchants wholly unconnected with these traders, who confine their 

 operations to exporting, from our Provinces goods for which, at present, 

 they are unable to find a return in kind. 



As it shews how anxious fchey are to establish a return trade, I will 

 mention, that more than one instance has been reported to me of Russian 

 goods (principally hardware and spurious gold tissue) having been, 

 brought across my frontier line, the packages having Moscow marked 

 on them, these goods were however of so inferior a description as to be 

 rejected by the natives whenever offered for sale. Indeed the cutlery was 

 inferior to that made at Monghyr and in the Delhi Bazar. 



In reply to your second question, as to whether I can do nothing to help 

 the Cabool Merchants, I can only state, that I have done and am doing 

 all in my power to encourage this enterprizing and deserving class of 

 men, in every way possible. 



In the mean time, I would suggest that the first object of Government 

 should be to open the route for trade, through the Khyber Pass, by 

 obtaining from the intermediate states, some modification of their present 

 system of duties, which press so hard on the merchant, as to drive him 

 round by the circuitous route now taken, where they are subjected to 

 exactions it is true, though less oppressive and vexatious in their 

 nature than those in force in the Seik states. 



P. S. — To shew the enterprizing disposition of the Cabool Merchants, 

 I will mention that a short time ago I gave one of them a note to Mr. 

 Clarke, to aid him in his endeavour to take an investment of Indigo, 

 Jewellery, Gold Lace, &c. to Yarkund. 



